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Fine structure of the corpuscles of Stannius and the interrenal tissue in goldfish,Carassius auratus

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Summary

Cells of the corpuscles of Stannius of the goldfishCarassius auratus, are characterized by a well-developed, rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum and a few small mitochondria; the secretory granules appear to be proteinaceous. Heavy granulation is observed following transfer to one-third sea water; hypophysectomy leads to a reduction in granulation. These observations are discussed in relation to the renal juxtaglomerular apparatus with which the corpuscles of Stannius have recently been homologized. Since the corpuscles of Stannius bear no cytological resemblance to the interrenal tissue, they are not regarded as a part of the adrenocortical system.

The interrenal tissue of the goldfish is most nearly comparable in structure to the zona intermedia of the rat adrenal cortex. The mitochondria show a characteristic, tubulo-vesicular structure; the smooth-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum is well developed. An increase in activity is observed after transfer into one-third sea water. After hypophysectomy, there is a decrease in the tubulo-vesicular structure of the mitochondria together with a most remarkable change in some cells which appear highly electron-opaque and show a loss of cytoplasm with closely-packed irregular electron-opaque mitochondria.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada

    Mizuho Ogawa

  2. Department of Biology, Saitama University, Urawa, Saitama, Japan

    Mizuho Ogawa

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  1. Mizuho Ogawa
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The investigation was carried out with financial support in the form of a post doctoral fellowship from the National Research Council of Canada and grants-in-aid of research to Dr.W. S. Hoar. — I am most grateful to Dr.W. S. hoar for his continuous support with the manuscript. I am also indebted to Drs.C. V. Finnegan andA. B. Acton for advice and assistance with photography and electron microscopy, to Mr.T. J. Lam for his help with the manuscript and to Mr.L. Veto for technical assistance.

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Ogawa, M. Fine structure of the corpuscles of Stannius and the interrenal tissue in goldfish,Carassius auratus . Z.Zellforsch 81, 174–189 (1967). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02075969

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